Orthopedic cast

ABSTRACT

An orthopedic or medical cast, the device comprising a stockingette having a series of air vent units secured thereto, the air vent units being arranged in staggered relationship along rows, and each air vent unit being of a height equivalent to the thickness of plaster of paris placed around the outer side of the stockingette.

United States Patent Thomas et a1.

[54] ORTHOPEDIC CAST [72] Inventors: Bobby E. Thomas, 225 Calle Margarita, Tucson, Ariz. 85706; Edward W. Maki, 3536 S. Mission Road, Tucson, Ariz. 85713 [22] Filed: Apr. 20, 1970 [21] Appl. No.1 30,167

[52] US. Cl. ..128/91R [51] Int. Cl. ....A6lf 5/04 [58] Field of Search ..128/91, 90

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,307,537 3/1967 Simon et a1 ..128/90 [151 3,656,477 [451 Apr. 18, 1972 2,704,067 3/1955 Moses 128/90 2,822,806 2/1958 2,273,792 2/1942 Brown ..128/91 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner.l. Yasko [57] ABSTRACT An orthopedic or medical cast, the device comprising a stockingette having a series of air vent units secured thereto, the air vent units being arranged in staggered relationship along rows, and each air vent unit being of a height equivalent to the thickness of plaster of paris placed around the outer side of the stockingette.

1 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 18 1972 55 77 fiaea'y 5, 77/0 76 5 60/ 504/6320 M M/l/f/ ORTHOPEDIC CAST This invention relates generally to medical or orthopedic casts.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a medical cast of improved type and which includes a stockingette having a plurality of air vent units secured thereto, the air vent units being of novel type so to form a clean hole for body odors to come outward and fresh air to go inward.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a medical cast wherein the air vent units provide a means for placement of dusting powder between the cast and a persons skin.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a medical cast which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efiicient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification together with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stockingette assembly including a plurality of air vent units secured thereto;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the air vent units with the sponge plug or insert removed therefrom;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cast made from the components of the present invention, and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of one of the air vent units mounted on the stockingette.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral represents a Thomak Cast, according to the present invention, wherein there is a stockingette 11 of generally tubular configuration and which comprises a sock made of woven fabric material, the stockingette accordingly comprises a generally cylindrical side wall 12 having a plurality of openings 13 over each of which is secured by means of adhesive, an air vent unit 14.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the air vent units 14 and the stockingette openings 13 are arranged in longitudinal rows 15, and wherein the air vent units in adjacent rows are staggered so that they do not weaken the cast when completed.

When the stockingette is intended as an arm cast, the air vent units are placed 4 inches apart along each row. When the stockingette is intended for use as leg or body cast, the air vent units are located six inches apart from each other along each row. Thus the finished cast is not weakened by the air vent units being located excessively too close together.

Each of the air vent units 14 includes a vent face pad 16 which is made of a soft felt, the pad being generally flat and of circular configuration, the pad being secured by means of suitable adhesive upon the outer side of the stockingette 11. A collar of generally tube-like configuration and made of soft rubber material is then placed on the outerside of the vent base pad, the collar 17 having a central opening 18 extending therethrough, the opening 18 of the collar aligning with a central opening 19 of the vent base pad 16 which is already aligned with the opening 13 of the stockingette. Thus there is formed a continuous opening exiting through the unit formed by the openings 18, 19, and 13 being aligned together. A cylindrical sponge plug or insert 20 is then fitted into the soft rubber collar 17. The sponge plug 20 has a narrow central opening 21 extending therethrough.

In operative use, as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing, a plaster of paris 22 is applied to the outer side of the stockingette 11, the plaster of paris being placed to a depth which is equal to the height of the air vent unit. It is to be noted that the air vent unit is preferably one-half inches in length. It is to be also noted that the purpose of the sponge plug or insert 20 is to prevent any plaster particles from falling into the vent openings and causing irritation and discomfort to the patient. Thus the physician is not slowed down in his operation of applying cast or plaster bandage. When the doctor cuts the opening on top of the air vent unit, he then flips the insert 20 outward and leaves a clean vent opening in each air vent unit so that body odors may be disbursed outwardly and fresh air may be entered inwardly. Additionally such opening comprises a means for ministering medication dusting powder between the cast and the skin.

Thus there is provided a means for protecting the skin from any foreign material after applying the plaster of paris or any other material which may be used for the cast. It is, of course understood that other lightweight orthopedic cast materials have been designed for replacing the conventional plaster of paris in cast making. The present air vent unit construction would be particularly suitable for such materials as well.

Thus there has been provided a medical cast construction of superior advantage.

What I now claim is:

1. In a medical cast, the combination of a stockingette and a plurality of air vent units mounted upon said stockingette, said air vent units mounted upon said stockingette forming a stockingette assembly upon which plaster of paris or other orthopedic cast material may be applied, said stockingette comprising a generally cylindrical sock made of woven fabric and including a cylindrical side wall upon which said air vent units are mounted for suitable adhesion, and said stockingette having an opening through said side wall in alignment with each of said air vent units, each of said air vent units comprising a vent base pad comprising a circular disc made of soft felt material and secured by said adhesive means upon the outer side of said stockingette, said vent base pad having a central opening therethrough for alignment with said opening of said stockingette, a soft rubber collar positioned against the outer side of said vent base pad, said collar having a central opening extending therethrough, said central opening being in alignment with said central opening of said vent base pad, and said opening of said stockingette, said opening of said soft rubber collar removably receiving a sponge plug or insert having a narrow central opening therethrough, said narrow central opening serving to permit body odors to come outward and fresh air to go inward therethrough. 

1. In a medical cast, the combination of a stockingette and a plurality of air vent units mounted upon said stockingette, said air vent units mounted upon said stockingette forming a stockingette assembly upon which plaster of paris or other orthopedic cast material may be applied, said stockingette comprising a generally cylindrical sock made of woven fabric and including a cylindrical side wall upon which said air vent units are mounted for suitable adhesion, and said stockingette having an opening through said side wall in alignment with each of said air vent units, each of said air vent units comprising a vent base pad comprising a circular disc made of soft felt material and secured by said adhesive means upon the outer side of said stockingette, said vent base pad having a central opening therethrough for alignment with said opening of said stockingette, a soft rubber collar positioned against the outer side of said vent base pad, said collar having a central opening extending therethrough, said central opening being in alignment with said central opening of said vent base pad, and said opening of said stockingette, said opening of said soft rubber collar removably receiving a sponge plug or insert having a narrow central opening therethrough, said narrow central opening serving to permit body odors to come outward and fresh air to go inward therethrough. 